Having a yeast infection systemically is difficult, at best, and not uncommon with a suppressed immune system. The PCP's routine meds didn't touch the problem. The oncologist went directly to Diflucan which began to work after a week but one script was not enough so I'm on the 2nd round. This may not be enough as I'm to take Diflucan until all symptoms are gone. For me this began as thrush in my mouth/throat, then spread through the esophagus and stomach. I really suffered with "bubbles" ... from generic burps to eruptions of mouthfuls of bubbles. Being full of bubbles means I am not hungry at all and I had to force down protein drinks [whey based since my cancer is estrogen positive, meaning no soy products] to get some energy. Once the 2nd round of Diflucan started to work I was able to expel the bubbles and began to feel alive again.
Finally I've been feeling better. And I can eat real food. And I am beginning to have energy.
Post radiation heat waves are worse than hot flashes because the heat is more constant that flashy. There is no way I can cover my shoulder/chest with anything except the lightest of covers. And during the night when I happen to cover the shoulder with a pillow case corner or such, it is instant HOT body. Thank goodness we have at least 2 beds available because when I cook one set of sheets I can go to the other bed with cool sheets while bed 1 cools off. Lately I've noticed less hot body problems. This is 3 weeks post last radiation.
Today was lymphadema physical therapy and I was pleased to get good results from the measurements on my arm. I am almost down to the same size as the right arm!!! I'm not thrilled to wear a finger to shoulder tight fitting "oven mitt" to bed each night; but if it works, it is worth it.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Finally, a hint of response to meds; a peak at blue skies
Systemic yeast infections are slow to respond to meds. This is my 2nd week on low voltage meds from my PCP and 1st week on high voltage meds from the oncologist. Yesterday was the first day I was even remotely interested in planning for a trip in the Fall. Today I had a "system purge" and immediately felt better. Apparently is it better to "expel" yeast than wait for it to die from drugs; or maybe the drugs are designed to expel the yeast after a while. Either way, I feel better.
The next step is to eat enough to get some energy back. I've NEVER had any disease or condition the took away my appetite before. Even with chemo I wanted to eat periodically. Not with this yeast infection.
I'm trying to eat every few hours and eat protein. Thank goodness for whey protein powder to supplement because it stays down when nothing else will.
I felt good enough about the future to watch a webinar from Avalon Waterways about river cruises in Europe next year. We are still considering a cruise in the Fall, but I'm not optimistic at this point. I think maybe it is better to hang closer to home through the Fall and the head to Tucson when it gets cold here. I guess I'm just not feeling strong enough to get back on the retirement travel trail.
The next step is to eat enough to get some energy back. I've NEVER had any disease or condition the took away my appetite before. Even with chemo I wanted to eat periodically. Not with this yeast infection.
I'm trying to eat every few hours and eat protein. Thank goodness for whey protein powder to supplement because it stays down when nothing else will.
I felt good enough about the future to watch a webinar from Avalon Waterways about river cruises in Europe next year. We are still considering a cruise in the Fall, but I'm not optimistic at this point. I think maybe it is better to hang closer to home through the Fall and the head to Tucson when it gets cold here. I guess I'm just not feeling strong enough to get back on the retirement travel trail.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Travel with no immune system.........means life in the slow lane
Monday I was back in Baylor for fluids and more meds from the oncologist. Bummer. I had just had the port removed a week ago. Double Bummer. So here I go with limited resistance due to the chemo which led to the invasion of a yeast infection which must have been a carry over from the chemo called the Red Devil which caused those terrible mouth sores. Now I have a more systemic version of yeast infection. Of course the oncologist always has the most potent drugs so now I'm on a 10 day regime.
Well, fluids.........It was so easy to get fluids with the port. I have the smallest, most rolly veins!! I have bruises from the RN trying to get the anesthesia line in when the port was coming out. Now I have more bruises from trying to get the IV line in for fluids. Two veins blew out so after four sticks we finally got a line in. And a liter of fluid later I felt much better. Really, I should have consulted the nurses in the infusion suite before I agreed to get the port removed. When Dr offed the option I took it as a wonderful sign of forward progress. Now I know.... one step forward, two steps back. Bummer.
This is the 2nd day on the strong anti-yeast drugs. I can't say there is improvement but I am no worse. So now we wait. I'll be more down than up this week, no doubt. Bummer. O, I said that already.
Well, fluids.........It was so easy to get fluids with the port. I have the smallest, most rolly veins!! I have bruises from the RN trying to get the anesthesia line in when the port was coming out. Now I have more bruises from trying to get the IV line in for fluids. Two veins blew out so after four sticks we finally got a line in. And a liter of fluid later I felt much better. Really, I should have consulted the nurses in the infusion suite before I agreed to get the port removed. When Dr offed the option I took it as a wonderful sign of forward progress. Now I know.... one step forward, two steps back. Bummer.
This is the 2nd day on the strong anti-yeast drugs. I can't say there is improvement but I am no worse. So now we wait. I'll be more down than up this week, no doubt. Bummer. O, I said that already.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Relapse .... again.
O, I'm so glad we got to party 10 days ago because I've had a rough ride since then. No because of the party....no not that kind of not feeling good. First I noticed a sore throat that was "different" than ever before. Turns out it was thrush, a yeast infection. This is VERY common post chemo and radiation when the immune system is destroyed. So the meds are working to kill that problem but it can take 2 weeks or more. It doesn't appear to be resolving and I think it has moved on to my esophagus. I would describe the symptoms as feeling like my body is full of bubbles and my throat stays "almost" sore. I drink something cold all the time and that helps a little.
Along with the throat issue is an ear ache. The tube going from my ear down the side of my neck actually hurts. This is the same side as the radiation so I think there could be a link. I'll see what my PCP thinks and then may go to the radiologist who was an ENT in an earlier life.
I decided to go back to the PCP on Monday rather than go to the ER or Urgent Care today. I do not like ERs and Urgent Care places don't seem much better for complicated issues. Unfortunately I've become a complicated issue.
I'll try to post something tomorrow night to keep you current on what ever is happening.
Along with the throat issue is an ear ache. The tube going from my ear down the side of my neck actually hurts. This is the same side as the radiation so I think there could be a link. I'll see what my PCP thinks and then may go to the radiologist who was an ENT in an earlier life.
I decided to go back to the PCP on Monday rather than go to the ER or Urgent Care today. I do not like ERs and Urgent Care places don't seem much better for complicated issues. Unfortunately I've become a complicated issue.
I'll try to post something tomorrow night to keep you current on what ever is happening.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Celabrating the end of "cancer therapy"
Radiation is DONE and the burn on my collarbone is all but healed. Life is beginning to return to normal at last. It seems quite appropriate to begin celebrating the completion of "cancer therapy." [What an oxymoron that is!! "Therapy" seems to such a healing word.....Do not be deceived. Cancer therapy is actually the opposite, designed to kill the cancer cells without killing the patient/victim. It will be 6 weeks after radiation ended before normal healing begins. My immune system is still fragile. I picked up a sore throat warranting a Z pack. If that is the worst problem I will declare myself lucky.]
The first celebration happened even before chemo/radiation ended. I bought the Bernina 830 sewing system right after the oncologist reported that my labs were clean and looked great. I get a bit of happiness happening every time I sew on that machine!
I love to have parties and have friends over. Friday afternoon 5 friends over to eat good food, drink good champagne and laugh much. We were all in the Awesome Women's Investment Club together for some years - long enough to help each other make and lose significant money. AWIC is not my only connection to each person. My friend Joan and I met at BCBSTX in 1992. I met JoAnn in 1976 when we moved to Duncanville and our husbands worked together. Maggie was a great role model for how to care for your parent when regular nursing facilities aren't enough. Marilyn is a great interior decorator and has guided me through some decorating milefields. Sylvia and I are almost neighbors and had great fun a few years ago helping with a friend's wedding. Sylvia's current claim to fame is the rescue of Beau, a black standard poodle who plays well with Domino. Both poodles attend the party....part time at least. They had just as much fun racing in the back yard as they did going around the table to get each lady to "pet me, not him." The humans were politically correct and petted both poodles at the same time. Then they moved on to the next lady. Kids, bah humbug.
I get my power port out next week. That counts as a Party. After that I want to go to Keller to visit Bill and LaVerne for lunch. When the four of us get together...it's a party. There was a resturant featured on the Food Channel show Diners, Dives and DriveIns that I want to check out. It is in a Convenience Store. At this point all I know is that I won't have to get dressed up!!!
Next will come some parties here for family and friends. I'm not ready for a road trip, even going down to Round Rock to see John and Jackie is too much to consider. The radiation heat is still "evaporating" .... that may not be the right word but I can't do any better at this point. I still can't cover my left shoulder very much without getting zapped with skin too hot to touch. That area has to have a vent. If I wear the wig or scarves more than 30 minutes I'm just wet with sweat. So until the heat is down to a simmer I think I'm better off to stay home for the most part. People who see me frequently have either gotten immuned to the bald head or they are super actors.
The first celebration happened even before chemo/radiation ended. I bought the Bernina 830 sewing system right after the oncologist reported that my labs were clean and looked great. I get a bit of happiness happening every time I sew on that machine!
I love to have parties and have friends over. Friday afternoon 5 friends over to eat good food, drink good champagne and laugh much. We were all in the Awesome Women's Investment Club together for some years - long enough to help each other make and lose significant money. AWIC is not my only connection to each person. My friend Joan and I met at BCBSTX in 1992. I met JoAnn in 1976 when we moved to Duncanville and our husbands worked together. Maggie was a great role model for how to care for your parent when regular nursing facilities aren't enough. Marilyn is a great interior decorator and has guided me through some decorating milefields. Sylvia and I are almost neighbors and had great fun a few years ago helping with a friend's wedding. Sylvia's current claim to fame is the rescue of Beau, a black standard poodle who plays well with Domino. Both poodles attend the party....part time at least. They had just as much fun racing in the back yard as they did going around the table to get each lady to "pet me, not him." The humans were politically correct and petted both poodles at the same time. Then they moved on to the next lady. Kids, bah humbug.
I get my power port out next week. That counts as a Party. After that I want to go to Keller to visit Bill and LaVerne for lunch. When the four of us get together...it's a party. There was a resturant featured on the Food Channel show Diners, Dives and DriveIns that I want to check out. It is in a Convenience Store. At this point all I know is that I won't have to get dressed up!!!
Next will come some parties here for family and friends. I'm not ready for a road trip, even going down to Round Rock to see John and Jackie is too much to consider. The radiation heat is still "evaporating" .... that may not be the right word but I can't do any better at this point. I still can't cover my left shoulder very much without getting zapped with skin too hot to touch. That area has to have a vent. If I wear the wig or scarves more than 30 minutes I'm just wet with sweat. So until the heat is down to a simmer I think I'm better off to stay home for the most part. People who see me frequently have either gotten immuned to the bald head or they are super actors.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)